Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features the return of a Mehmas 'TDN Rising Star'.
2.05 Epsom, Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes (Conditions), £75,000, 2yo, 6f 3yT
MAXIMIZED (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status at Haydock on debut and is put the test in this downhill slalom for the Woodcote which used to carry Listed status and was won in 2019 by Pinatubo. Godolphin's half-brother to the Listed scorer and Group 3-placed Benefit and grandson of the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Hooray was at £720,000 the second-highest-priced juvenile at the Goffs UK Breeze-Up and that early experience will stand him in good stead here.
6.40 Doncaster, Novice, 3yo, 8fT
MUDBIR (GB) (Kingman {GB}) bids to follow up his win at Chelmsford 15 days previously and enhance his family's reputation as a half-brother to the stable's Group 1 winners Mostahdaf and Nazeef. Shadwell's homebred is also under the care of the Gosdens, who may be plotting a path to better things and who will get a gauge on his ability via some smart opposition here. Also lurking is Clipper Logistics' newcomer Lone Warrior (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), an Andrew Balding-trained half-brother to Invincible Spirit's classy Ghostwriter.
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